Skaters use other sports, activities to enhance their skating experience


by LEXI ROHNER


JANET SLATER, 35 Urbana, Illinois, Illini FSC, Pre-bronze


Janet Slater’s fi rst foray into skating was in


2010 in ill-fi tting brown rental skates. “When I fi rst stepped onto the ice, I immedi-


ately loved it,” said Slater, a life skills special edu- cation teaching assistant at Urbana High School. “I went to a few more public sessions after that, and decided to sign up for classes.” To help get her into skating shape, Slater’s


coach encouraged her to begin running. She’s since completed several 5Ks, two half-mara- thons and is training for her fi rst marathon. She also has joined a Facebook program titled “Irun- 4Michael,” which is an organization that pairs able-bodied athletes with disabled individuals. Slater has yet to be matched with anyone,


but is amazed by the amount of support she can provide via messaging, gifts (race medals, T-shirts, etc.), or just being a virtual shoulder to lean on. “Thinking about their buddy gives the ath-


lete a boost to get through their workouts or training,” Slater said. “It’s free to join, and I can’t wait until I’m matched.” In addition to skating and running, Slater


started attending adult gymnastics classes and is working on a front handspring. Gymnastics provides a combination of strength, fl exibility and endurance, and Slater enjoys the fun and the challenge. “I was defi nitely not as toned before I started


skating, and my diet refl ected that,” Slater said. “As a result, I lacked strength and endurance on the ice.” Slater’s skating has now developed with


power, speed and jump height as a result of these supplemental activities. “Like everything else it’s a work in progress, but it’s worth it,” Slater said.


40 APRIL 2016


KATHLEEN WESTMORELAND, 25 Dallas, Dallas FSC, Adult gold free skate


Ballet classes, rhythmic gymnastics, running,


stretching and a proper diet have helped Kath- leen Westmoreland take her skating to a higher level while helping her prevent injuries. She became involved in skating at age 14,


tagging along for her sister’s group lessons. “I never considered myself athletic, but it


motivated me to stay fi t and monitor my nutri- tion,” she said. During her teen years, though, she endured


three right leg surgeries related to skating. “I did off -ice, dancing and stretching as a


teenager, but truly didn’t realize the importance of balancing,” said Westmoreland, who has also since lost a signifi cant amount of weight. “Re- turning as an adult, I realized supplemental training was crucial. I’m avoiding surgeries with proper technique and strength. I do more diffi - cult jumps than I did growing up.” Westmoreland recently started trial judging, runs the Dallas FSC Instagram page, teaches six learn-to-skate classes weekly and occasional pri- vate lessons. Coach Cheryl Pascarelli’s work with Westmo-


reland improved her turns in the air substantial- ly.


“She taught me intention in everything I


practice,” said Westmoreland, who also works with Lilli Erickson on her spins. “I’ve learned the importance of hip warm-up prior to jumping.” In 2014, Westmoreland took the S.T.A.R.S.


combine test after a year of supplemental train- ing. She scored in the 95th percentile for the majority of elements tested by novice- to se- nior-level skaters. “Skating taught me to push and believe in


myself,” said Westmoreland, who passed all the adult moves tests in one session a month after graduating with her MBA. “Age is a limitation of the mind.”


ROSE KATHY, 33 Aliso Viejo, California, Orange County FSC Adult masters JR.-SR./Standard track senior


As a child, Rose Kathy used ballet and Pilates


to enhance her skating. Today, she does yoga as a complement to her eff orts on the ice. “Skating as a kid taught me commitment


and hard work,” Kathy, a writing teacher and author, said. “If I’d never skated I don’t know if I would have the self-discipline I have today.” Her favorite elements are a double Axel, a


death drop and footwork. She would like to get a triple jump back. “I don’t have enough fl exibility for a nice spi-


ral anymore,” said Kathy, who is now training for the 2016 U.S. Open Professional Championships. “Yoga off ers challenge and relaxation but given the time, I would do Pilates, which can help skat- ers a great deal.” Kathy is also preparing to take part in her


second ISU adult competition this year in Van- couver, Canada. Training with coach Teri Ballard, Kathy also works with renowned choreographer Phillip Mills. “We’re currently working on my program,”


she said. “I’m very excited with how it’s turning out.”


Kathy is a triple U.S. Figure Skating gold medalist and has performed with Holiday on Ice, Disney on Ice and as a principal pairs skater at Germany’s Europa-Park. She met her husband, Alexander, while in ice shows. Despite the successful coaching career


Kathy has maintained since 2000, she has little time to practice her own skating as she coaches full time at two rinks. “Skating means everything to me,” said


Kathy, who would like to add a fourth gold test medal in dance. “I fi nd a certain freedom when I skate and jump.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60